Millenium coal mine at Coppabella has struck its first coal set to be shipped to steelmakers across the globe by the end of the year.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart joined joint venture partners M Resources and Stanmore Resources, together known as MetRes at the official opening of the $464 million underground mine which partners bought and re-started in July.
First coal was struck two weeks ago and production is forecast to rise to more than 1.2 million tonnes per year from July 2022.
MetRes Chair Matt Latimore said he was glad to see the opening of the mine which is heading into a time where the world is hungry for metallurgical coal resources.
“Millenium will make high quality coal for steel making available to our trading partners which will support a global green energy transition,” Mr Latimore said.
“As the world invests in a low emissions future, there will only be more demand for Queensland’s premium coking coal, with the continued support of the Queensland Government and our partners, we are looking forward to being part of the solution.”
The Millenium Mine commenced operations in August, 17 months after being mothballed by previous owner Peabody Energy.
The mine is supporting 100 jobs during construction and more than 230 ongoing full-time jobs. Mr Latimore added he was particularly pleased to have an emphasis on local employment, with around 75 per cent of the Millenium Mine’s operating workforce coming from Central Queensland.
Minister Stewart said Queensland’s resources sector had been a steady source of employment and economic security for Queenslanders for the past 12 months.
“Despite the pandemic, an average of 80,000 people have been employed in mining over the past year,” he said.
“Now we see five new and re-opened mines in Queensland in just under four months.”
